[Wanderer0101]

I'm interested in some property on Baron Fork Creek in Adair County. I would appreciate any information from those that know the vicinity.

[Ecovlke]

What kind of information do you want? Water quality data? Water quality designation? Aesthetics? What reach of the stream is near the property? I can direct you to information if I had more specifics.

Barron Fork is a nice creek and it has some good fishing and swimming holes. It's a tributary of the Illinois River which is designated under the state's WQS as scenic river. I believe Barron Fork is also designated as a scenic waterbody.

[Wanderer0101]

Originally Posted by Ecovlke

What kind of information do you want? Water quality data? Water quality designation? Aesthetics? What reach of the stream is near the property? I can direct you to information if I had more specifics.

Barron Fork is a nice creek and it has some good fishing and swimming holes. It's a tributary of the Illinois River which is designated under the state's WQS as scenic river. I believe Barron Fork is also designated as a scenic waterbody.

I'm really not familiar with the area at all. I have some concerns about the impact of large scale poultry operations in the neighborhood since I know there are some around in that part of the world and maybe feed lots. From what I've seen it looks like a county with relatively low population so any comment on the nature of the citizenry would be appreciated, just want to get a feel for the place. I'm originally from Southwest Missouri though I haven't lived there for decades and I'm guessing the population would be much the same.

Looks like major medical services would be an hour or more away in either Fayeteville or Tulsa and I'm assuming most shopping and other services would be the same.

I guess my real question is would this be a good area for me to retire, garden, raise a few chickens, fatten a few calves, fish, hunt and slide into genteel obscurity.

[Ecovlke]

Originally Posted by Wanderer0101

I'm really not familiar with the area at all. I have some concerns about the impact of large scale poultry operations in the neighborhood since I know there are some around in that part of the world and maybe feed lots. From what I've seen it looks like a county with relatively low population so any comment on the nature of the citizenry would be appreciated, just want to get a feel for the place. I'm originally from Southwest Missouri though I haven't lived there for decades and I'm guessing the population would be much the same.

Looks like major medical services would be an hour or more away in either Fayeteville or Tulsa and I'm assuming most shopping and other services would be the same.

I guess my real question is would this be a good area for me to retire, garden, raise a few chickens, fatten a few calves, fish, hunt and slide into genteel obscurity.

It's a beautiful area and I would definitely recommend this area. For your plans to garden and fatten some chickens and calves it would be perfect. There are some towns where you can go shop and get most everything you need. Tahlequah is home to Northeastern State University, (my Alma mater) and it's the Cherokee Nation's Capital. It's plenty big enough for good grocery stores and shopping needs. It use to be a small town but has grown a bunch over the last 20 years. They have two hospitals. Hastings, which is the Indian hospital and the city hospital.

This area has a mix of people. Out along the Illinois, not far from Tahlequah there is Sparrow Hawk. LOL, it was a hippie commune that went in back in the 60's and there are still people from that commune, I believe.

There are plenty of rural people in the area. So, you'll also have your mix of farmers and ranchers. Oh yeah, and yes, there are chicken operations in this part of the state.

Coming into Tahlequah from the west you'll see the change in ecoregions. As one drives on toward Fayetteville you begin to enter the Ozarks, so it becomes hilly and forested. It's very beautiful!

There has been a lot of flack over the chicken litter waste contribution to the degradation of the watersheds by increasing nutrient loads. This is true, but the water quality is still good. Oklahoma Water Resources Board lowered the phosphorous limit to 0.036 mg/L and that caused a big fight with Fayetteville since they use the river as a source point for their waste water plant. (that's way, way upstream though!) People are still floating down the Illinois and the Barron Fork.

Overall, for the price you'd pay in that region relative to many other regions you'd probably be quite happy. Barron Fork is a great creek as is Spring Creek. Lots of people trout fish in those streams, though it is stocked trout not naturalized.

You'd be close to lots of good things if you choose this region. I'd recommend it for what you said you wanted. Best of luck to you!!

[dotho]

Originally Posted by Wanderer0101

Looks like major medical services would be an hour or more away in either Fayeteville or Tulsa and I'm assuming most shopping and other services would be the same.

I don't know much about Baron Fork Creek, although we're working on purchasing property just south of Stilwell (down the road south of you I think). I'm assuming you're near Westville, if not then then information below is probably in accurate.

From a shopping perspective, it depends on what you're looking for.

Stilwell has basic stores like Wal-Mart and the like, as well as at least one Ag/Tractor store (Sundowner Tractor). There is a hospital (Memorial Hospital) in Stilwell as well, although you're much better off going to Tulsa. Fayetteville has Washington Regional, as well as Mercy Hospital, but (as a former employee of the former), I'd suggest going to Tulsa for anything critical. If you're a vet however, there is a decent VA hospital in Fayetteville.

Hope this helps

[Wanderer0101]

Thanks folks, I appreciate the information.